Sesto Rocchi Festival
International chamber music festival in the Reggio Apennines
About Sesto Rocchi Festival
A chamber music festival in the heart of the Reggio Apennines
The Sesto Rocchi Festival is one of the most beloved musical events in the Reggio Apennines. Every year, straddling August and September, the small municipality of San Polo d'Enza (in the Province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna) becomes the stage for a week entirely dedicated to chamber music, with concerts, masterclasses, and lessons held in all the town's public spaces. It is an event where great classical music dialogues with the village, its squares, and its historic sites.
A history linked to a master luthier
The festival is named after Sesto Rocchi (1909-1991), a renowned luthier originally from San Polo d'Enza, who trained at the Violin Making School of the Conservatory of Parma and then in Milan. He was capable of transforming raw wood into the harmonious sound of perfect instruments and won numerous international competitions. From this artisanal heritage, a festival is born that celebrates string instruments and the art of playing them together, under the artistic direction of Maestro Antonello Farulli.
San Polo "sound city"
The festival's format is that of a large, spread-out workshop. For a week, young musicians and students attend masterclasses and workshops with renowned quartets, while "spread-out lessons" bring music into the village streets and squares. The evenings culminate in evening concerts, entrusted to internationally famous artists, held in evocative locations such as the Castle church, the medieval Clock Tower, and the nearby Matilde di Canossa Theater.
2026 Edition: "80 Years of Free Voices"
The XIX edition, scheduled from August 31 to September 6, 2026, has the theme "1946-2026 - 80 Years of Free Voices", dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the first universal suffrage vote in Italy, when women participated in elections for the first time. Among the new features are the arrival of violinist Edoardo Zosi (Conservatory of Cremona) in the teaching staff and the usual daily yoga practice curated by Maestro Manuel Zigante.
Why it's worth the trip
- High-level evening concerts with free admission (by donation)
- An Apennine village that breathes music day and night for a week
- Open masterclasses and workshops to discover the work of great quartets up close
- Evocative historic sites in San Polo d'Enza, Canossa, and the surrounding area
Sesto Rocchi Festival — edition 2026
The XIX edition of the Sesto Rocchi Festival enlivens San Polo d'Enza from August 31 to September 6, 2026 with the theme "1946-2026 - 80 Years of Free Voices", dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the first universal suffrage vote in Italy. For a week, the village becomes a "sound city" again, with masterclasses, workshops with renowned quartets, and evening concerts by internationally acclaimed artists. Among this year's new features are the addition of violinist Edoardo Zosi (Conservatory of Cremona) to the teaching staff and the usual daily yoga practice curated by Maestro Manuel Zigante.
Programme Sesto Rocchi Festival 2026
The XIX edition of the Sesto Rocchi Festival takes place from August 31 to September 6, 2026 in San Polo d'Enza, under the artistic direction of Maestro Antonello Farulli, with the theme "1946-2026 - 80 Years of Free Voices".
The week includes, as per festival tradition:
- Masterclasses with festival faculty and workshops with renowned quartets
- Spread-out lessons in the village's public spaces, turning it into a "sound city"
- Evening concerts with free admission by donation, featuring internationally renowned chamber musicians
- Daily yoga practice curated by Maestro Manuel Zigante
Among the faculty for the 2026 edition is the debut of violinist Edoardo Zosi (Conservatory of Cremona, former member of the Adorno Quartet). Registration for courses is open until August 10, 2026.
The detailed program of evening concerts, including artists, times, and venues (Castle church, Clock Tower, Teatro Matilde di Canossa), will be announced on the official website in the weeks preceding the event.
Highlights Sesto Rocchi Festival 2026
Theme dedicated to "80 Years of Free Voices" (80th anniversary of universal suffrage in Italy), debut of violinist Edoardo Zosi in the teaching staff, and a week of free admission evening concerts that transform San Polo d'Enza into a "sound city".
Prices Sesto Rocchi Festival 2026
Practical information — Sesto Rocchi Festival
How to get there
San Polo d'Enza is located in the first Apennine foothills of the Province of Reggio Emilia. By car, it can be reached from Reggio Emilia in about 25 minutes along the SS63 and SP28. The most convenient train station is Reggio Emilia, on the Milan-Bologna line, from which you can continue by car or public transport.
Tickets
Evening concerts have free admission by donation. Reservations are recommended by calling 0522 241729 (Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-1:00 PM) or via email at [email protected].
Tips
Several evening events take place at the Teatro Matilde di Canossa, a few kilometers from San Polo: check the official program for the venue each time. The area, between the Matildic lands and the Apennines, offers numerous farmhouses and trattorias for dinner before the concert.
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Where does it take place — Sesto Rocchi Festival
Chiesa del Castello
Piazza IV Novembre 1, 42020 San Polo d'Enza